Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park is the largest state park in Florida and is home to a variety of plant and animal species that can be found nowhere else in the continental United States. The emphasis at Fakahatchee is on the preservation of its natural character. The park can be divided into four main use areas. These are the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk, the East River, the Jones Grade lakes, and Janes Memorial Scenic Drive.
Fakahatchee Strand PSP
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/fakahatchee-strand
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fakahatchee_Strand_Preserve_State_Park
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park is the largest state park in Florida and is home to a variety of plant and animal species that can be found nowhere else in the continental United States. The emphasis at Fakahatchee is on the preservation of its natural character. The park can be divided into four main use areas. These are the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk, the East River, the Jones Grade lakes, and Janes Memorial Scenic Drive.
Florida State Parks
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Recreation and Parks
History & Nature
The Fakahatchee Strand is a forested swamp
about 20 miles long and five miles wide where
the underlying limestone has dissolved to form
a shallow, seasonally-flooded depression with
a canopy characterized by bald cypress, red
maple and royal palm trees. Within Fakahatchee
Strand, deeper channels called sloughs provide
a protective environment for tropical plants
that cannot survive South Florida’s extreme
temperatures. The deeper sloughs flow through
layers of organic soils where smaller trees form a
rain forest-like mid canopy, sometimes laden with
epiphytes, including bromeliads and orchids. The
southern portion of the Preserve is composed
of salt marshes and mangroves which border
Fakahatchee Bay. During the rainy season, fresh
water flows southward into the Gulf of Mexico,
gradually mixing with the salt water of the Ten
Thousand Islands, creating conditions for a highly
productive estuarine ecosystem.
The park’s wildlife is as diverse as its flora.
Imperiled species such as the American crocodile
and the West Indian manatee dwell in the
mangrove lined waterways to the south, while
wood storks, bald eagles, Florida black bears,
Everglades mink and Florida panthers make their
home elsewhere in the park.
Human activity at the Fakahatchee Strand has
been documented as far back as 2,500 years ago.
Archaeologists have noted several sites indicating
pre-Columbian Indian activities. From 1944-1954,
a timber company harvested cypress from the
Fakahatchee Strand. Approximately 192 miles
of tram roads, built to haul cypress logs from the
swamp, are overgrown with forest vegetation.
Several are kept clear for access and hiking.
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
137 Coastline Drive
Copeland, FL 34137
(239) 695-4593
FloridaStateParks.org
Southwest
Florida
Fakahatchee Strand
Preserve
State Park
The world’s largest cypress/royal palm forest
Park Guidelines
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Hours are 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year.
No entrance fee is required.
All plants, animals and park property are protected.
The collection, destruction or disturbance of
plants, animals or park property is prohibited.
Pets are permitted in designated areas only.
Pets must be kept on a hand held leash no longer than 6 feet and well behaved at all times.
Fireworks and hunting are prohibited.
The use of ATV’s and other off road vehicles is
prohibited.
Become a volunteer and/or join Friends of
Fakahatchee State Preserve. For information,
visit www.friendsoffakahatchee.org or check with
park staff.
Florida’s state parks are committed to providing equal access to all facilities and programs.
Should you need assistance to enable your
participation, please contact the ranger station.
Alternate format
available upon
request at any
Florida state park.
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State Parks
Created on 11/14
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Real Fun in
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
encompasses much of Florida’s most spectacular
swamp. More native orchid species grow in
this 75,000-acre wilderness than in any other
place on the continent. Visitors can experience
Fakahatchee by hiking one of its numerous trails,
strolling along a boardwalk or bicycling or birdwatching on the 11-mile park road.
The emphasis at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve
State Park is on the preservation of its natural
character. In keeping with this goal, facilities and
activities are limited. The park is a wilderness to
enjoy and explore.
Adventurous visitors can participate in a
guided swamp walk and wade into the
Fakahatchee Strand to see its tropical ferns and
bromeliads. Those who don’t want to get their
feet wet can hike along one of the many remnant
logging tram roads which are high, dry and open
year-round. The East and West Main Tram are
excellent hiking choices. The less adventuresome
can take a leisurely drive through the wilderness
along Janes Scenic Drive.
To spend an enjoyable morning or afternoon at
the park, visit the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk on
U.S. 41, seven miles west of State Road 29. The
boardwalk is approximately 2,500 feet long and
ends at a swamp pond where a variety of plants
and wildlife may be observed.
Directions
To Park Entrance: Take I-75 to exit 80/
State Road 29. Go 15 miles south. Take
a right on Janes Scenic Drive. To Big
Cypress Bend Boardwalk: Take I-75 to
exit 80/State Road 29. Travel south for
18 miles to U.S. 41. Turn right and go seven
miles.
Camping and Cabins Guide
Florida State Parks
FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks
Welcome
When the setting sun paints the evening sky, where will you make
your bed? Florida’s state parks offer you a variety of overnight
accommodations.
At a Florida state park, the day’s work is play, a walk on the beach, a hike
through the woods, a swim, a bike ride. All you need is a fishing rod, a
kayak, a book and a friend.
What do you want to see when the sun rises on the new day?
Choose a wooded campsite within walking distance of white sandy
beaches or camp along the banks of a quietly moving river. Bring your
boat or canoe, or fishing tackle and a rod, for a relaxing time with family
and friends.
Explore nature on the hiking trails, while at the same time leaving stress
of the busy world behind. Attend a festival, a reenactment or simply
do nothing.
We are committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities for all
visitors at Florida state parks, including campgrounds and cabins.
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Family Camping
Florida’s state parks offer more than 50 campgrounds statewide for tents,
campers and RVs. Most campsites include water, electricity, a grill and
picnic table. Centralized showers, restrooms and a dump station are
also available.
• One responsible person, 18 or older, must be present on each campsite
or cabin.
• Camping fees vary from park to park and include a maximum of eight
people per site, not including children under 6 years old.
• Check-in time is 3 p.m. Check-out time is 1 p.m. You are welcome to stay
in the park through the end of the day.
• Quiet time is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
• Campsites are limited to two vehicles. Selected campsites may
only allow one vehicle.
FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks
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Cabins
From modern to rustic, state park cabins provide overnight accommodations
in a variety of settings—near beaches, rivers and lakes or peaceful wooded
communities. Cabin styles vary from fully equipped modern cabins to
hand-hewn, lumber or palm-log retreats. Cabin amenities may include a
kitchen, fireplace and screened porch, complete with rocking chairs and
porch swings.
• Cabins may be reserved for one night during the week, Monday–Thursday,
or a minimum of two nights on weekends and holidays, Friday and
Saturday, departing Sunday, or Saturday and Sunday, departing Monday.
Some exceptions apply.
• Cabins can accommodate either four or six visitors.
• Check-in time is 4 p.m. Check-out time is 11 a.m.
• Quiet time is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
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• Pets are not permitted in cabins or cabin areas.
• Staff may assess cabin renters a damage fee if necessary to clean-up or
repair any damage beyond ordinary cleaning, wear and tear. Fees may
also be charged for lost/stolen items.
Group, Primitive, Equestrian and Boat
Many parks offer areas for youth and group camping. Backpackers may
wish to hike to secluded areas for primitive camping. More than 15 state
parks offer campsites and other amenities for equestrians and their horses.
Owners of horses visiting state parks must provide proof of a negative
Coggins test. Call the park to discuss availability, facilities, rules and fees.
Five state parks provide boat slips with water and electricity. Boaters
have access to the state park’s restrooms, showers, pump-outs and other
amenities. Boaters can also anchor overnight at Bill Baggs Cape Florida
State Park and at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
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Camping with Pets and Service Animals
Pets are welcome at most Florida State Parks. Some campgrounds have
designated sites for pets. All pets must be confined, leashed or otherwise
under the physical control of a person at all times. Leashes may not exceed
six feet in length. Pets must be well behaved. Owners must pick up after
their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles.
Pets are not permitted on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas,
cabins, park buildings or concession facilities. Individual parks may have
specific areas prohibiting pets.
Service animals in a working capacity are allowed in all public areas of state
parks when accompanied by a visitor with a disability.
Service animals should be harnessed, leashed or tethered unless such a
device interferes with the service animal’s work or the visitor’s disability
prevents the use of these devices.
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Reservations
Campsite and cabin reservations may be made from one day to 11 months
in advance by calling (800) 326-3521, (866) I CAMP FL or TDD
(888) 433-0287 or by visiting FloridaStateParks.ReserveAmerica.com.
Call the park directly to reserve group or primitive campsites.
Prices per night:
Campsites $16 to $42
Cabins
$30 to $160
Visitors pay a reservation fee of $6.70
*Prices subject to change.
A 50 percent discount on base campsite fees is available to Florida citizens
who are 65 years old or older, or Florida c